Workforce Development & Economic Policy

Governors are working to expand economic opportunity and advance the nation’s global competitiveness by developing the skilled workforce and economic environment required for individuals, businesses and communities to thrive.

As the chief executive officers of their states, Governors set strategic priorities to align workforce and economic development activities to build a shared vision of societal and economic well-being. The NGA Workforce Development & Economic Policy program supports Governors and their appointees in developing and executing on these priorities.

Featured Initiatives 

NGA Workforce Development Technical Assistance Program

NGA provides advisors and other Governor-appointed state workforce system leaders with technical assistance on a broad range of workforce development policy issues through policy memoranda; in-state site visits and presentations, and facilitated connections with subject matter experts. The team also holds biannual convenings and monthly briefings and issues a weekly newsletter.

Workforce Strategic Planning Collaborative

The NGA Center’s joint project with the U.S. Department of Labor supports Governors and their advisors as they develop and implement their federally required four-year strategic plans for workforce development. Technical assistance offerings include an emphasis on implementation of federal investments that passed during the 117th Congress, namely the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, CHIPS and Science Act, and Inflation Reduction Act.

NGA Economic Policy Advisors and Economic Policy Technical Assistance

NGA provides Governor-appointed state economic development leaders and advisors with highly responsive and customized best practice research, strategic planning facilitation, timely information from federal partners and subject matter experts, and other support on a broad range of economic policy priorities. This includes an upcoming virtual event series as well as a bi-weekly newsletter.

Meet The Team

Focus Areas

  • Apprenticeship and youth apprenticeship
  • Sector-focused workforce and economic development strategies
  • Workforce development financing, governance, and innovation
  • Outdoor recreation & economic development  
  • Service-to-career pathways and public sector employment
  • IIJA, CHIPS and IRA implementation Future of work, digital transformation and digital skills
  • Disability inclusive workforce policy

Services Available

  • Strategic planning facilitation and best practice guidance on workforce and economic development topics or initiatives
  • Strategic guidance, feedback and meeting facilitation services for Governor-appointed state workforce development boards
  • Convenings for workforce and economic development advisors and state leaders on emerging issues
  • Regular newsletters for state workforce and economic development leaders
  • Customized research briefs and best practice presentations upon request

Workforce Development Library

Tax Reform

The Honorable Max Baucus Chairman Committee on Finance United States Senate Washington, D.C. 20510 The Honorable Orrin Hatch Ranking Member Committee on Finance United States Senate Washington, D.C. 20510 Dear ...
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STEM in Immigration Reform

The Honorable Bob Goodlatte Chairman Committee on the Judiciary U.S. House of Representatives Washington, D.C. 20515 The Honorable John Conyers Ranking Member Committee on the Judiciary U.S. House of Representatives ...
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STEM Hatch-Klobuchar-Coons Amendment

The Honorable Orrin Hatch United States Senate Washington, D.C. 20510 The Honorable Amy Klobuchar United States Senate Washington, D.C. 20510 The Honorable Chris Coons United States Senate Washington, D.C. 20510 ...
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Workforce Investment Act

The Honorable Barbara Mikulski Chair Committee on Appropriations U.S. Senate Washington, DC 20510 The Honorable Richard Shelby Ranking Member Committee on Appropriations U.S. Senate Washington, DC 20510 The Honorable Hal ...
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Marketplace Fairness Act

The Honorable Harry Reid Majority Leader United States Senate Washington, DC 20510 The Honorable Mitch McConnell Minority Leader United States Senate Washington, DC 20510 Dear Senator Reid and Senator McConnell: On ...
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Testimony – State and Local Tax Reform

Statement of David Parkhurst Director, Economic Development and Commerce Committee of the National Governors Association Before the House Ways and Means Committee Hearing on “Tax Reform and Tax Provisions Affecting ...
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Testimony – State Leadership and Innovation in Disability Employment

Testimony Of The Honorable Jack Markell Governor of Delaware Submitted to the United States Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Chairman Harkin, Ranking Member Alexander and distinguished members ...
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State Sector Strategies Coming of Age: Implications for State Workforce Policymakers

State Sector Strategies Coming of Age: Implications for State Workforce Policymakers

This paper offers a snapshot of sector strategies today, an overview of what makes them different from traditional workforce and economic development programs, and a description of actions that state ...
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Hearing Statement – Marketplace Fairness Act

The nation’s governors call on Congress to help states modernize sales tax systems and encourage greater marketplace competition by taking up and passing legislation like S. 1832, the “Marketplace Fairness ...
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Economic Policy Library

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